Black Dog Gelato @ 859 N. Damen Ave

Yeah you would think after all that BBQ, we'd be stuffed but we still had room for Gelato. Anything you have here is truly a treat, my vote this trip was for the Strawberry Black Pepper Sorbet. Spicy & Sweet!

Espresso Gelato

Pistachio Gelato

Goat Cheese Caramel Cashew Gelato

Strawberry Black Pepper Sorbet

Salty Peanut Gelato Cookie Sandwich

I love you Lillie Q: Visit #2

Well Father's day brought our second trip to Lillie Q's and was of course a delightful feast! On my last visit the server told me the shrimp & grits is the best thing on the menu but you have to be willing to make the leap of a non-BBQ meal. Well I ordered it up and was instantly happy with my order when our waitress said "that is the best thing on the menu!".  It was delicious, a little indulgent with cheesy grits and tasty shrimp. I highly recommend it. I think the consensus at the table was the sweet potato fries are the best we've had, they are crunchy and lightly coated with salt and brown sugar, yum! The beer selection here is also pretty fantastic for drafts and bottles- Dark Horse plead the fifth imperial stout and Tank 7 Farmhouse Ale were both tasty choices. Our table ordered up fried pickles (good but I've had better), Ribs, Pulled Pork,  Low Country Boil & the fabulous Shrimp & Grits. I will definitely be back.

Bar Food

What: The Rail
Where: Damen & Leland • Chicago, IL
Rating:...hmmmm Tostada's get a 10, the place gets a 2

So I ate at the Rail this past week. We have been here many, many times. First off, this place pretty much has the worst service- you get one beer and never see your waitress again. There is one thing I must discuss. I go there for one reason, the Turnstyle Tostadas. As I was eating these, I said "I think this is the best bar food!". They have this delicious marinated, shredded chicken and feta cheese (yes, FETA? it's a surpise but the perfect compliment). The Rail also has some great bar food specials that are cheap & taste good- 25¢ wings, $1 chili, $3 burgers & fries, $3 nachos but that's where the goodness ends.

What's your favorite bar food?

Chicken Tostadas ..$8.50
Three crispy corn tortillas freshly fried and slathered with refried frijoles-charros. Topped with tender chunks of chicken breast simmered in a spicy chipotle pepper sauce, aged feta cheese, Julienne cabbage, diced tomatoes and a dollop of sour cream. (photo from www.therailbar.com/food.html)

oh the Half Shell

What: Half Shell
Where: 676 W Diversey Pkwy • Chicago, IL
Rating: 10 (out of 10)
I don't know if it's my love of dive bars, my love of raw oysters, my love of beer served in a frosty mug, my love of watching grown men bicker at each other like an old married couple but the Half Shell has my heart. You can either belly up to the bar (which adds to the ambiance that Whale Wars is on the TV and I have to interrupt the bartender from watching to get a beer) or you can request a spot on the lovely outdoor patio. At most restaurants I like to try something new and check out the specials- here I have to get the same thing because it never fails me and it is delicious! Blue Moon in frosty mug-check. 1.5 dozen oysters- check. Snow Crab & King Crab combo-check. Adam and I share this every time we go which most often is a special occasion...this was our 5 year anniversary and we couldn't think of any place we'd rather eat.